Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board finds that the medical evidence is inadequate to determine the ameliorative effects of the Veteran's medications on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the case for further action, including obtaining an appropriate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically whether his pain is service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status as he does not have a single disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%, nor is he permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability is remanded due to a duty to assist error in the initial decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of his application. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility, finding that there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to February 17, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered them unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted their TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine, thoracolumbar spine, and heart conditions have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition as there is no evidence of a current diagnosed back condition at any time during or proximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia, depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and alcohol abuse disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee ligament tear with degenerative arthritis, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease of hips and great toes, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his active duty service.

The appellant is granted SMC(o) and SMC(r)(1) based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, glaucoma, foot drop conditions, sleep apnea, migraines, overactive bladder, and various musculoskeletal issues. He does not qualify for higher rates due to the anatomical loss or use of extremities.

The Veteran was found to be unable to self-sustain in the community due to his cognitive decline and multiple physical disabilities, requiring continuous personal care services each time he completed three or more activities of daily living.

The Veteran's back condition is granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher. The left knee condition is granted a noncompensable (0 percent) rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc/ joint disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the October 2019 VA examination reports.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the October 2019 VA examination reports.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2019 VA medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded based on new military personnel records showing his deployment to Panama and Honduras.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports related to ankle disabilities.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports related to ankle disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination report.